Seasonal Variation of the Proximate Composition,Mineral Content,Fatty Acid Profiles and Other Phytochemical Constituents of Selected Brown Macroalgae

The main objective was to determine the chemical, phytochemical, fatty acid and mineral profiles of three commercially relevant brown macroalgae (Laminaria digitata, Laminaria hyperborea and Ascophyllum nodosum) collected each season for two years off the west coast of Ireland. All the chemical, phytochemical, fatty acid and minerals analysed varied significantly depending on the macroalgal species, season and year of collection. Overall, the protein contents of macroalgae were negatively correlated with carbohydrate content. Protein (2–11%) was at its highest during winter and/or spring, decreasing to a minimum during summer and/or autumn. The three macroalgal species analysed in this study had clearly differentiated fatty acid profiles. The concentration of fatty acids was higher in A. nodosum compared with both Laminaria species. The mineral profile of the three macroalgal species was rich in essential metals, particularly Ca, Mg and P, while the levels of I were approximately 9- to 10-fold higher in both Laminaria spp. compared with A. nodosum. The levels of toxic metals (Cd, Hg and Pb) in all the macroalgal species studied were low in the current study; while the levels of total As were high (49–64 mg/kg DW macroalgae) compared with previous reports.     

Concentrations of substance P and prostaglandin E2 in synovial fluid of normal and abnormal joints of horses

OBJECTIVE: To correlate substance P content of synovial fluid with prostaglandin E2 content, radiographic evidence of joint abnormality, and anatomic location of the joint for normal and osteoarthritic joints of horses. SAMPLE POPULATION: Synovial fluid from 46 normal joints in 21 horses and 16 osteoarthritic joints in 10 horses. PROCEDURE: Normal and osteoarthritic joints were identified by clinical and radiographic examination, by response to nerve blocks, during scintigraphy or surgery, or by clinicopathologic evaluation. Substance P and prostaglandin E2 contents of synovial fluid were determined by radioimmunoassay. Radio-graphs of joints were assigned a numeric score reflecting severity of lesions. Joints were assigned a numeric score reflecting anatomic location. RESULTS: Median concentrations of substance P and prostaglandin E2 were significantly increased in osteoarthritic joints, compared with normal joints. A significant correlation was found between concentrations of substance P and prostaglandin E2 in synovial fluid, but a correlation was not detected between substance P concentration in synovial fluid and anatomic location of the joint or between radiographic scores of osteoarthritic joints and concentrations of substance P or prostaglandin E2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A correlation existed between concentrations of substance P and prostaglandin E2 in synovial fluid obtained from normal and osteoarthritic joints. However, content of substance P in synovial fluid cannot be predicted by the radiographic appearance of the joint or its anatomic location. Substance P and prostaglandin E2 may share an important and related role in the etiopathogenesis of osteoarthritis, lending credence to the importance of neurogenic inflammation in horses.     

Insect growth inhibition,antifeedant and antifungal activity of compounds isolated/derived from Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) rhizomes

Fresh rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger), when subjected to steam distillation, yielded ginger oil in which curcumene was found to be the major constituent. The thermally labile zingiberene‐rich fraction was obtained from its diethyl ether extract. Column chromatography of ginger oleoresin furnished a fraction from which [6]‐gingerol was obtained by preparative TLC. Naturally occurring [6]‐dehydroshogaol was synthesised following condensation of dehydrozingerone with hexanal, whereas zingerone and 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)butane were obtained by hydrogenation of dehydrozingerone with 10% Pd/C. The structures of the compounds were established by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass (EI‐MS and ES‐MS) spectral analysis. The test compounds exhibited moderate insect growth regulatory (IGR) and antifeedant activity against Spilosoma obliqua, and significant antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani. Among the various compounds, [6]‐dehydroshogaol exhibited maximum IGR activity (EC₅₀ 3.55 mg ml ^?1) while dehydrozingerone imparted maximum antifungal activity (EC₅₀ 86.49 mg litre^?1). © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Busulphan and thiourea as chemosterilants for the snail lymnaea acuminata

Treatment of the snail Lymnaea acuminata with an alkylating agent (busulphan) or a thiocarbamide (thiourea), for 3 days, significantly reduced the number of eggs and prevented embryonic development. Both the drugs caused a dose dependent reduction in the levels of protein, DNA, RNA and the activity of the alkaline phosphatase of the ovotestis, and a dose-dependent enhancement in the levels of amino-acids and the activity of the acid phosphatase. Discontinuation of the drug treatment for 7 days resulted in a near complete recovery in DNA and RNA levels, while there was no change in the levels of protein, amino-acids and the activities of the acid and alkaline phosphatases.